Minority Mindset

Okay, so the new Scream trailer is packed with references. It’s not just your standard Ghostface action; they’re clearly tipping their hat to a ton of recent horror hits. I spotted nods to M3gan, Longlegs, Get Out, Smile, Terrifier, and even The Substance (they’re calling it “the Stuff” now, apparently!). The setup feels very Sinners – a group of unwelcome guests show up wanting to party – and there’s a really intense chase sequence that reminded me of Weapons, ending with a brutal car accident. But it’s not just movies! There’s a fight scene with… well, let’s just say unconventional weapons, clearly inspired by Everything Everywhere All at Once. And if you’re a fan of Netflix’s Wednesday, you’ll notice one of the victims is named Tuesday – a pretty obvious wink to the show. It’s a lot to take in, and honestly, it feels like they’re throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks.

Throughout each season of Dark Winds, Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) is deeply disturbed by the cruelty, insularity, and violence he witnesses from white people, and he makes a point of resolving to be different. While this theme has always been present, the fourth season takes a new approach. This time, Joe is confronted by a strange and obsessive German assassin who is fascinated by him and Navajo culture, and her bizarre behavior genuinely throws him off balance. McClarnon delivers a fantastic range of reactions – shock, disgust, confusion – to her antics, culminating in a particularly absurd moment in the third episode, “Ahááldláádígíí (That Which Has Been Torn Apart),” when she holds him at gunpoint… and kisses him! It’s a wonderfully unexpected turn, and both McClarnon and Franka Potente deliver captivating performances in a thoroughly engaging season.

Pixar is known for making movies that appeal to both kids and adults, but it’s easy to forget how sophisticated their early films actually were. A Bug’s Life, in particular, is a surprisingly thoughtful story about rebellion that still works for younger viewers. Its complex themes feel more similar to serious dramas like Andor and Daredevil: Born Again than to most other Pixar movies, and even after nearly three decades, it remains one of the studio’s most intelligent films.

Pixar is known for its incredible animation. Starting with the groundbreaking computer-generated film Toy Story, they’ve consistently touched audiences with movies like Up and Finding Nemo, offering both clever ideas and skillful filmmaking.

Despite consistently losing to One Battle After Another in other awards shows this season, Sinners took home the Best Cast award at the Actor Awards (formerly known as the SAG Awards). Michael B. Jordan also unexpectedly won Best Actor. This success followed recognition at the NAACP Image Awards and an ACE Eddie Award win for the film’s editing.

Xavier wakes up in Graceland’s Jungle Room, still handcuffed to the couch, after being stabbed. Annie is expertly tending to his wound, but remains determined to keep him from going to Atlanta to help his wife, insisting he stay with her at a bunker in Colorado. Despite her seemingly harsh actions, Annie isn’t malicious – she’s driven by fear and struggles to trust others. Over the two weeks Xavier needs to recover, they actually start to develop a connection. His biggest flaw, as far as Annie is concerned, is his tendency to condescendingly explain pregnancy to her, but otherwise he’s not doing much wrong.

The show Hoppers centers on Mabel Tanaka, a young woman who loves animals and is determined to save a peaceful forest from being destroyed by new construction. As she investigates why the animals have disappeared, Mabel discovers their departure began when the beavers left. She then learns that a secret technology called “Hopper,” developed at her university (where she’s been skipping class), is involved. To understand what’s happening, Mabel connects with a robotic beaver and enters the animal world.